The Lebanese authorities are still unable to carry out practical moves to confront the repercussions of the current crisis with the Gulf countries.
Ministerial sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that Prime Minister Najib Mikati would discuss this issue with French President Emmanuel Macron in Scotland, on the sidelines of his participation in the COP26 Climate Summit.
Also, Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib contacted his Qatari and Omani counterparts, calling for “restraint and work to avoid escalation.”
During his phone conversation with Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Bou Habib “welcomed and appreciated” all the efforts made to contain the escalation and alleviate the current crisis, stressing “the importance of communication and meeting with all Gulf and Arab brothers.”
He also contacted his Omani counterpart, Badr Albusaidi, appreciating the statement issued by the Omani Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the current crisis and stressing the “importance of dialogue and understanding, as well as Lebanon’s keenness on the best fraternal relations with its Arab and Gulf brothers.”
In the same context, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants welcomed “the statement issued by the Omani Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in which it expressed its deep regret over the worsening relations between a number of Arab countries and the Republic of Lebanon.”
A statement issued by the Lebanese Foreign Ministry called on all sides to “avoid escalation and address differences through dialogue and understanding in a way that preserves the brotherly countries and their peoples’ supreme interests…”
It added that Lebanon is keen on maintaining the best relations with its Gulf and Arab brothers.
Meanwhile, the country’s political and civil figures continued to condemn statements by Information Minister George Kordahi and his refusal to resign, warning of the repercussions of the crisis at the political and economic levels.
Al-Mustqbal MP Hadi Hobeish said that a large part of the Lebanese, who do not agree to any political talk against the Gulf, are paying the price for such stances.
For his part, Lebanese Forces Party MP Shawki Daccache considered Kordahi’s resignation a first step to address the diplomatic crisis and preserve Lebanon’s Arab identity.
The Lebanese-Saudi Council denounced statements made by Kordahi and other officials who offended Lebanon’s relationship with its Arab surroundings, calling on the government to carry out its work independently, and to dismiss the minister.
“If the matter is left without a radical treatment, it will cause severe damage to the supreme interest of the state and the Lebanese, who are looking to strengthen relations with the Arab environment of Lebanon,” the Council warned.
The Lebanese Association of Industrialists called for speeding up stances that protect Lebanon and safeguard the interests of its people.
“National dignity requires that we explicitly commit ourselves to the interest of Lebanon before any other consideration, no matter how high it is, and that we refrain from engaging in conflicts that do not concern us,” it said.
